Production Planner

Lonza, a worldwide pioneer in the life‑science arena with sites on three continents, is expanding its operations team in Visp, Switzerland. The opening is for an Operations Planner (also referred to as Production Planner) who will steer the scheduling and resource coordination for Manufacturing Complex 2 – a facility that houses six 20 kL mammalian bioreactors. In this position you will devise and maintain a comprehensive plan that aligns daily shop‑floor activities with medium‑ and long‑range production goals. You will synchronize inputs from procurement, production, quality, maintenance, engineering and global service groups, while owning the Summary Production Schedule that feeds into the overall Master Production Schedule. The role also covers the planning of maintenance windows, equipment availability, and the integration of large‑scale investment projects, together with proactive measures to avoid material shortages and to sharpen planning precision through process and system improvements. The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s or master’s qualification in supply‑chain management, biotechnology or a comparable field, and has proven experience working in a GMP‑regulated production environment. Business‑level fluency in English is required, alongside deep expertise with SAP ERP/MRP and the Syncade MES platform. Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, especially MS Project, is also essential. Additional assets include conversational German, hands‑on exposure to shop‑floor activities in biologics manufacturing, and familiarity with integrated scheduling solutions such as Orchestrate, Schedule Pro or Aspen. Experience in pharmaceutical or biotech supply planning is viewed favorably. The role offers the chance to contribute to a high‑impact organization that values ethical conduct, environmental stewardship and the personal growth of its staff. What the role asks for: - Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in supply‑chain, biotechnology or related discipline - Proven GMP production experience - Business‑level English proficiency - Expert knowledge of SAP ERP/MRP and Syncade MES - Advanced skills in MS Project - German language ability (advantage) - Experience with Orchestrate, Schedule Pro or Aspen planning tools (advantage) - Background in pharmaceutical/biotech supply planning (advantage)